Fierce the Conflict

Norman H. Cliff

Much is known in the West about the miraculous survival and rapid growth of the church in China in the half century following Liberation. But relatively little is known about the courageous stand that many individual Christians took in the difficult days of the "Accusation Meetings" and the traumatic ten years of the Cultural Revolution. Fierce the Conflict relates the hardship and struggle of eight believers whose faith was tested through periods of persecution, imprisonment and forced labour. These carefully documented stories illustrate the sustaining grace of God and will challenge readers to examine their own fidelity to Christ. The author, Dr. Norman Cliff, was born in China to missionary parents and his personal knowledge of the country and some of the believers profiled in this volume makes the telling of these stories that much more personal. This book will open your eyes and heart to the work of God in the vast country of China.

From the reviewers:

In these stories one can sense the enormous courage and determination which people are capable of displaying, with God's help, not only in moments of crisis, but over decades. After reading these accounts we should be more humble if we are ever tempted to complain of any problem we are faced with.
Alan Hunter, formerly Senior Lecturer in Chinese Studies, University of Leeds.

As we read this book we are led to see that it was out of the crucible of persecution and severe testing of a handful of men and women of faith that God did a deep heart-work that laid the groundwork for the revival to come. Christ crucified was, and is, the centre of the faith of Chinese Christians. Walking the way of the cross they entered deeply into the fellowship of Christ's sufferings and emerged quietly triumphant.
Tony Lambert, Director for Research, Chinese Ministries, OMF International.

208 pages, 6" x 9", perfectbound.
Published July 2001
ISBN: 1-894400-12-7